View Full Version : Low level Lighting Photography.
Richard,
Do you have any experience in this? I've always gotten poor results with the Rebel in low light. I upgraded to the Rebel to hope to get better images but I think I need a quick what's what on the basics.
Gran Turismo
02-27-2009, 02:19 AM
You might want to specify the "poor results" a little more:
- exposure / contrast issues?
- image noise ("grainy" looks)?
- blurred images due to camera shake?
You might want to specify the "poor results" a little more:
- exposure / contrast issues?
- image noise ("grainy" looks)?
- blurred images due to camera shake?
Good question. Actually all of the above. I've tried so many different things not really knowing what I was doing that I had all those issues. Instead of reverse engineering my results vs my settings, I figured I'd seek help to try and figure out what I should be looking at and what all those buttons mean.
Richard in NC
02-27-2009, 01:04 PM
Let's start with ISO settings. A DSLR defaults to 100 or 200. Manually set it to 800. Your shutter speed will go up 4x or 8x. Canon DSLRs should still be a good picture at ISO 800 (I hear). Some could go to ISO 1600 or beyond but expect some (or a lot of) grainyness.
The only other solution (other than flash) is better lenses, with the biggest aperature (lowest f number) possible, such as a 50mm f1.4 lens (~$400) or an f2.8 zoom (~$1500).
One good feature of new lenses (or cameras) is image stabilization. (VR to Nikon, I don't know the Canon term). That prevents camera shake at slower shutter speeds (but doesn't freeze motion).
Note also, even though many DSLRs are very good in low light, don't expect miracles unless you spend the really big bucks (Nikon D3, Canon 1D mkIII, etc plus $1k plus lenses).
Very cool, So the number on the lens (50mm) is the total amount that the lens will open letting more light in? So the lens isn't just about distance and focus range, it's also about the amount of light.
Richard in NC
02-27-2009, 01:53 PM
Very cool, So the number on the lens (50mm) is the total amount that the lens will open letting more light in? So the lens isn't just about distance and focus range, it's also about the amount of light.
Not quite right.... 50mm is the focal length (how much magnification, bigger = more).
The f number is how much light can pass thru the lens (lower = bigger = better). It is seen as f2.8 or a range f3.5-5.6 or sometimes f 1:2.8. It is the ratio of the area of the full frame to the area of the largest lens aperature, which can open or close to vary the amount of light entering the camera.
PS: The rest of a lens description is just features and marketing. IE: AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED is a 70-200mm with a max f2.8 aperature and has VR (vibration reduction and other features).
Richard in NC
02-27-2009, 03:45 PM
Here is a good explaination of lens aperture and how it relates to shutter speed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_speed
Or here for more details and illustrations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture
PS: As noted above (other thread), the downside to a large aperture is the reduced depth of field (more critical focus on the subject plus near and far objects blurred).
OK - Here's what I got.
Body - Canon 400D 10.1MP
Lens - 18-55mm
Seems like the Body is good for now but the lens is what I should be working with. Maybe I can find a different spec lens locally for cheap just to try out some of the different ways it's set up.
Thanks Richard!
Richard in NC
02-28-2009, 06:02 AM
OK - Here's what I got.
Body - Canon 400D 10.1MP
Lens - 18-55mm
Seems like the Body is good for now but the lens is what I should be working with. Maybe I can find a different spec lens locally for cheap just to try out some of the different ways it's set up.
Thanks Richard!
Looks like a nice camera. I use DP Review a lot. See http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/.
The high ISO images look good (see the compares to.. sections). If you shoot low light a lot, I'd look for a 50 f1.8 lens as a best value or a 50 f1.4 if you can step up in price. Or maybe a 35mm f1.8 if you want wider angles (indoor rooms).
AusBmw
03-03-2009, 11:36 PM
How's this one Sir Snaps alot.
Home town (Tamworth) lookout on sunset
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2058/150/26/571532705/n571532705_1100083_3993.jpg
Near Tamworth to
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1944/150/26/571532705/n571532705_1051979_3962.jpg
InsidiousSpeed
03-04-2009, 12:38 AM
Nice shot of Tamworth there, Aus.
Richard in NC
03-04-2009, 03:14 PM
How's this one Sir Snaps alot.
Home town (Tamworth) lookout on sunset
Near Tamworth to
Nice shots.
AusBmw
03-06-2009, 02:24 PM
No this is not my work I don't know who took it, but to me it's no amateur, nor is it taken with a low end camera.
It's a photo taken from the roof at Doncaster ( Suburb of Melbourne Victoria ) shopping center on Black Saturday 07-02-09, were 210 Australians lost there life's to the worst bushfire ever seen.
InsidiousSpeed
03-06-2009, 03:33 PM
No this is not my work I don't know who took it, but to me it's no amateur, nor is it taken with a low end camera.
It's a photo taken from the roof at Doncaster ( Suburb of Melbourne Victoria ) shopping center on Black Saturday 07-02-09, were 210 Australians lost there life's to the worst bushfire ever seen.
Picture of hell in the horizon. :scared: Sad days.